Replace third brake lamp in wagon

[camrycurt]

I have a '99 wagon and the bulb has burned out in the third (highmount) brake light. How do I get in there to replace the bulb? The only thing I can see is a rubber circular grommet inside the hatch that seems to be in the right place to hide the bulb, but I don't know.

Any tips on getting to the bulb?

Thanks!
Curt

[65comet]

The stupid manual says "For wagon, refer to a qualified technician". What that probably means is that the designers never thought about changing that bulb until it was too late to go with a better idea. My guess is that they had to come up with a special tool to reach in for turning, removing and reinstalling the socket. If no one else ever answers you, I'd go ahead and take off that plug/grommet to at least see what is there. Maybe some extra long needle-nose pliers are all that is necessary.

[Katana1150]

Darn I have a 97 wagon and the third brake lamp is out and I have pulled the rubber grommet off only to find that there is nothing underneath the grommet to suggest you can get at the lamp area to change the bulb.

When I saw this title I was hopping there would be an answer to this problem. And I'll be damed if I'll take my car to a Ford Tech to change a stupid light bulb, Or any other Tech for something I should be able to do myself.

[DistanceGuy1]

From Autozone's DIYer Site:

1.Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2.Open the liftgate.

3.Remove the liftgate upper finish panel.

4.Remove the rubber plug from the liftgate.

5.Remove the four nuts from the high mount brake light mounting studs.

6.Close the liftgate and pull the brake light away from the liftgate.

7.Rotate the high mount brake light bulb socket(s) and rotate them a 1/2 turn counterclockwise and remove the socket(s) from the lamp assembly.

8.Remove the bulb(s) from the socket by pulling the bulb straight out.

9. The installation is the reverse of the removal.